Bourbon on Rye

We accidentally stumbled onto this place. First off, have to say...I cannot rate the food as we did not eat anything here. However, everything we saw coming out of the kitchen looked and smelled amazing! The staff was extremely friendly! This is a bar service place, there is no table service here, which is just fine and works well for what they do. The beverage menu is very extensive. Due to our plans we had one beer, trying to keep it on the lighter side. There was a rrally cool and inviting atmosphere, especially loved the rounded half booths and the oldtyme touches! However, cannot wait to go back and try their cocktails and Bourbons along with that scrumptious looking food!

I didn't eat anything, not even sure if they had food....the 5 stars for "food" is for the Smoked Old Fashion! I would drink this all night long every day if I didn't have a liver to worry about. Loved it!

Sean was a generous host and a whirlwind of bartending and mixology; introduced me to the best old fashioned I’ve had in years and some new bourbons to try during my stay in KY. Great little bar done just right!

Super knowledgeable staff, great drinks, and a fun atmosphere. It gives a sophisticated but laid back judgment free vibe. The loaded fries were good, but a touch dry. With a side cup of ranch they would have been fantastic. Definitely worth a stop in!

Visited on a busy Friday night. They were out of slider buns, therefore 4/6 options on the sandwich side of menu were not available. They were also out of chicken so we couldn't get quesidilla. They were out of Tonic for my friends vodka tonic drink. I also ordered a certain bourbon flight (with 4 specific rye bourbons listed on menu) and received 2/4 listed - 2 were different ryes. I wasnt disappointed with the bourbons given, just further proving my point that they have work to do. Also every employee we saw was a man. Which may have been random and situational for the night. The atmosphere and bar itself was inviting... but food options, service and experience was very disappointing.

I came here after the March Madness Tennessee vs UCLA game to get some food and a drink. The walk was also a perfect distance from the Rupp Arena The kitchen was only serving fries and wings after a certain hour, so I got the wings and they were DELICIOUS! I don’t usually eat blue cheese with my wings, but their blue cheese was great. The bartender (John aka Bunny) and the barback (Johnny) were super nice and accommodating and made me a wonderful Virgin Mary mocktail! Would definitely recommend this place for a late night snack and place to hang out👍🏼

Nice little spot in downtown. Food was good, but took like 40 min and there were only 2 of us and it wasn't that crowded. Be aware, there are no servers at this establishment. You seat yourself and then go to the bar to order everything. Which, if it's super crowded, isn't that easy or fun. Had meatballs for app, and then chicken and cheeseburger sliders. And don't worry about filling up on fries. ;) but there was just enough. Prices were very reasonable for food. Overall, I'd definitely go back.

The guys running this place are so cool and down to earth. There’s a huge variety of bourbons and they make the really nifty drinks you see on Reels with the razzle dazzle. The atmosphere is cozy and rich with a lot of original vibes from “the olden days”. Food is tasty and really hits the spot, not your average pub grub. Def. a top spot to visit if you’re out and about downtown.

I have been so many times to this place that I need to to Invest in stock... The drinks were spectacular as well as the service and I've never had a bad hamburger from them. I highly recommend.

This place is popular, but we weren't blown away. Dark bar interior. Bar service only, but bar tenders were very nice. We didn't try the food. Place is a bit too trendy or young for me, I think. Cocktails/drinks were ok here, but had better nearby. They are open late, which is a plus when many nearby places close earlier.

Came in town for the weekend for the Kentucky football game and the bartenders and the service was amazing The bartenders really know the knowledge on the alcohol and what goes into it. Definitely a great place to get a old fashioned one of the best I've ever had. They have so many different varieties and really have a knack for knowing exactly what you want. The ambience was an older crowd which is great. I'm in my forties and I thought it was a very good mix. Everybody was very friendly around me and great music. They also had the Seltzer Club next door which had pinball and other games. I found the restrooms over there a lot nicer as well

Chicken was raw. Service slow and owner rude. Would never go back. Wait for service over an hour and had to go to bar yourself.

Great bar. John and Sean were so helpful picking out some new bourbons for us to try. So knowledgeable about bourbon. Great time.

Cute cute cuuuuuuttttteeeeeeee Garage doors going out into the street. High end cocktail lounge for after work

Had an awesome time here in Lexington! Bartenders were nice and helpful explaining some of the bourbons to us. We had the Peri Peri wings which we really enjoyed! The french fry appetizer was actually great... don't be scared by the words pork roll! The sliders were also cooked really well and super enjoyable. The real winner here though is the cocktails and the bourbon selection. Three people with us at the bar recommended their old fashioned which really did hit the spot on the hot day. If you're in Lexington on a weekday I definitely suggest going here!

I moved to Lexington not too long ago, and I was looking for bars that I could see myself visiting with friends, and then I found this place--Bourbon on Rye. What a remarkable establishment to have in downtown Lexington. I am a cocktail girl, but not just any cocktail, but the ones that are made to perfection, and the presentation is on point. *thumbs  up* This place checks it all off. I was there last night with my friends visiting from Louisville, and I showed them my favorite spots in downtown Lexi. Bourbon on Rye never disappoints, and I'm impressed by their cocktails *french kisses* I highly recommend this place who want to grab great drinks with a great ambiance to hang out with friends or family. The staffs are funny and super-friendly to everybody, and it's always a good time here.

Amazing local bar with some of the most interesting bourbons in Lex! I love trying new, old , and interesting bourbons here. The staff never steer you wrong!

If you want to try some very special bourbons, this place serves 1 oz pours of everything. And they have everything, even those boubons that are impossible to find. Owner is behind the bar and a really nice guy. He will steer you in the right direction.

Local, walkable restaurant downtown. Dark, speakeasy type vibe. The standard bar food, burgers and fries . The bar has an extensive collection of spirits. I'm a bourbon fan and asked the bartender for their recommendation. The cocktail he made was on the sweeter side, as requested and delicious.

Great atmosphere with a wonderful selection of drinks, of course with bourbon, but others as well, including a nice selection of wine. French fries were delicious!

Fun late night hang out for drinks. The old fashioned was amazing. Great vibe! There are also some arcade games in the back and a menu served earlier in the evening but we didn't try it.

The bar is beautiful and the bartender is fun. The Moscow Mule I ordered was legitimately the best I've had anywhere, and I highly recommend it.

One of the best bars in Lexington, their service goes above and beyond. One bartender Dan, is hands down an exceptional Bartender as well as giving out solid life advice. The other bartender a JASON!!!(told you I'd remember)is also in the same ballpark that Dan is in.(whose goatee is better that's a harder question. However if in a Friday or Saturday night you are in downtown lexington and can get a seat at Bourbon on Rye; I highly recommend doing it. Food to order: any and all burgers: Sweet Potato Fries are amazing The salad is also great appetizer and the wings are great as well. Ask the bartender they will lead you to good choices as well. Drinks: totally up to your but a good ol fashioned or a Moscow mule is always my go to veg

Amazing place and the bar crew knows what they are doing. Visit now. If you tell the bartender what you want they will make a drink for your palate.

Large selection of bourbons and very knowledgeable staff. List is pricey but can appreciate the overhead of location and warehousing of so much liquid joy. Great place for trying different whiskies but wasn't thrilled with the food. It's looks fine and tastes fine but it seemingly left something lacking. Drinks seem overproduced. Stick with whiskey flights!

Came in late night for cocktails after a Kentucky football game. Great cocktails, and excellent variety of bourbon and rye whiskey. A Little dark, but that's exactly what you would want in a place like this. Depending on the time of day, you may have to go to the bar to pick up your cocktails. It can get a little crowded, especially around the bar when table services has ended.

This place was my first time, and it had a great appearance but I didn't like the ordering situation and the service is not great. Don't get the paper plane, its not good but get the house old fashion it was very good. People seem friendly but unless you want to wait and pretty much service your self your good here. Choice of music is not great either, whoever makes the Playlist needs to be fired. Sorry I love lex but for this place to be on main street I'm not sure but good luck with your business I won't be back here anytime soon. Weird ass people lol

Didn't enjoy bar service as the only option. Food was just ok. Old fashioned was just ok as well.

Very overpriced drinks, slow service, and extremely loud. Got tired of waiting for a bartender to notice my upraised hand to get a second round...so I walked next door to the Crafty Fox & got a couple draft beers for $4 less PER BEER. My whole party moved over there, because we could actually hear each other without shouting, and there was zero wait for drinks. The decor is cool, at least...that gets it one star over the 1-star review that this place deserves otherwise.

Great burgers. Delicious drinks. If you can, sit at the bar. The bartenders are all entertaining and interesting. Great stories about local spirits.

Staff was rude. Food was ok but small portions. Atmosphere of the place was great looked really cool inside. Wouldn't hate going back but my girlfriends were treated badly. If you aren't drinking bourbon they will judge you. Haha if that's your thing you may love the place!

For a night on the town while on the road, this was a great stop. We jumped in an Uber and asked for a good local bourbon bar. The driver knew exactly where to go. On top of that, we hit a few other places that night and ended up coming back to this place cause no one else could beat their prices. The drinks were great, the bartender was amazing, and the food was even good on top of all of that. Not a lot of local parking, so I would suggest an Uber for sure. Easy to walk from here to other locations nearby.

Lovely bartenders and a great ambiance! Thankful we stopped in on our trip! The French fries are tasty and the chicken Gouda sliders are a yummy treat late at night!

Staff is great, cocktails are awesome. Definitely a great place to meet up with some friends.

Best place to get a cocktail/food downtown! Me and my girlfriend love making this our spot. The bartenders are some of the best in the country. The never fail to fall short of expectations. This is a must stop if you're gonna be downtown.

Stopped in here one evening during the Great Cold of '24, and was very happy with he drink selection, the bourbon list, and the eclectic playlist. The bar dudes knew what they were doing, and even though the bar was busy, they still managed to get us taken care of pretty quickly.

Have you been to Bourbon on Rye on Main St yet!? If not, you are missing out! My fiancé and I settled down at the bar in the coziest little bourbon house ever. It had a total 1920s feel, with vignette seating and a beautiful bar. We were welcomed in and told some special drinks. There wasn't a menu on hand, but that did not matter!! Staff was knowledgeable about all their cocktails, beers, and wines. My partner ordered a unique beer drink, called a black and white, and really enjoyed it. I had a paper plane, a cocktail with bourbon and other delicious things. It was so refreshing. The bartenders and waitstaff knew their food menu too, and offered pairings to what we were drinking. We settled for fancy bread and cheese, enjoying a few more drinks along the way. The icing on the cake was seeing what they call, the infinity decanter. They put the last ounce or two of every bourbon in the house in there and serve a pour for a great price. They cut it off when it's a 1/4 of the way down because it's infinity and can never finish! I loved it. So unique and cool. Would highly recommend this place due to their friendliness, professionalism, and knowledge. The food and drinks were phenomenal. Ps-- try the coffee and smokes cocktail. Omg.

Reasonable prices and juicy burgers! I enjoyed the atmosphere, my shot of whiskey and beer cheese burger. Wish it came with more fries but maybe it's better for my health that way haha.

Excellent Lexington Bar! Friendly and knowledgeable staff, great selection of spirits, tasty cocktails. and good food! They make their own syrups and shrubs and will whip up a great cocktail to suit your taste!

Exceptional food in downtown Lexington. Service was fast and friendly and the food was amazing

Cute southern charm atmosphere. The bartenders were awesome and made our experience. I had a sour and mule from the drink list and really enjoyed the chicken sliders WITH sweet potato fries. The only downside was the open smoking. There was a guy standing by the bar and lit up 2 cigarettes back to back near us. I was visiting out of town so it might be normal! If so please excuse this part of the review. Other than that, I recommend stopping by! Comfortable seat and instagramable.

Love the look and feel of this bar. Very cozy. They have a huge selection of bourbon/whiskey. I really appreciate that they are very open about the cost of what you are ordering. That way there are no surprises when the bill comes. The Hubs and I shared the loaded French fries with bourbon cheese and they we sooooooo good. Maybe some Of the best crispy fries I've ever had. If you are in the downtown Lexington area I would highly suggest a stop here for at least one drink.

What do you do on national bourbon day? Go to Bourbon on Rye of course! I have been here a handful of times and there is always so much to choose from that I have a hard time deciding. I generally sit at the bar and ask Chris if he has a magical concoction in mind for me. So far, he has hit the mark every time! I once told him that I am not a fan of gin and he goes, "I can change your mind". He starts pour elixirs from bottles, performs a magic spell and presto a gin drink that I not only didn't hate, but I actually enjoyed. It surprised me. I can only assume there is dark magic involved in his tasty drinks to make them so tantalizing. The kitchen is amazing! Everything I have ever tried is on point. Beer cheese, pretzels, fries, pork roll... it's worth a trip in even if you don't drink just for the food. I simply love the speakeasy style and decor of this place. It is by far one of my favorite places downtown. Now if I could just get them to be open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, life would be perfect!

Great atmosphere and the food is fantastic. Huge selection of bourbons. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone that likes good food or loves bourbon.

Very cool place for a drink. They have a fantastic selection of bourbon/whiskey. The bartenders are very friendly and make some tasty drinks. Convenient location in downtown Lexington. Can't wait to try it again soon.

Wonderful service! Great drinks! Lots of fun. Definitely worth checking out if you're ever in Lexington!

Service and staff are wonderful! I stopped in before a concert and the food was excellent. Everything exceeded my expectations.

Yelp Nothing but delicious, handcrafted cocktails, bourbon and goodtimes at Bourbon on Rye. Check this place out fantastic bourbon selection, fun atmosphere with even better hospitality and service! They have great food too, the beer cheese burger & fries is a great go to and for something equally delicious but different try the pork roll! And their fries are sooo good! This is one of our go to places for a great cocktail Chris makes some of the best cocktails I've had. The ryetai and turmeric sour are staples and for good reason!

Recently stopped in for a bite to eat and some drinks before a concert at Rupp. The atmosphere is great. Cool old structure with a modern hipster feel. The cocktails were delicious yet a bit small and pricey. We ordered the beer cheese and pretzels which is listed as also including a mustard. The pretzel and cheese were delicious but listing the mustard was a bit deceptive because it was too small of a decorative smear to actual "dip" or taste. We also split a beer cheese burger and fries. Fries were delicious, burger was too pink and didn't have enough beer cheese to even recognize it was there. But overall, I'd give this place another shot on atmosphere alone.

Great staff even better drinks! A customer even bought us shots! We didn't realize you order food at the bar. Once we knew we ordered. Food was good and we loved trying different bourbons.

I don't go to bars much anymore but when I do go, it's at Bourbon on Rye because it's the best bar staff currently in Lexington, the drinks selection is crazy good and the vibe is always fun. The team cares about what they do in this space; from owner on down they know their bourbon and know their drinks. There's been a lot of time working on their cocktails and barrel select program and it shows. If I'm having a night out and want to go somewhere, Bourbon on Rye is always the top of our list and we always leave knowing it's time well spent. Oh, and the food is always good. It's bar food, sure, but sliders, chicken and great fries. You're getting more than what you expect in a very cool location. The big boi bourbons are pricey, for sure, but if you're a bourbon lover you'll find amazing stuff at fair prices.

Bourbon on Rye is one of my favorite bars in town. I don't go nearly often enough! The atmosphere is really cool and vintage/Art Deco. They have a lot of really fun drinks for reasonable prices and the service is always amazing. Absolutely love getting the New York Sour!

Delicious drinks, friendly bartenders and wonderful atmosphere! Bourbon On Rye has more of an upscale vibe as compared to other bars in Lexington. It's a wonderful place to go with friends or to end a romantic date night. The bartenders are so welcoming and make the best drinks. They have an endless supply of a variety of bourbons. They also have delicious house cocktails. If that's not enough, they have old school arcade games! Who doesn't love those?!

Excellent service! They treated us like we were the only ones there! No waiting for a table. And, the food was terrific as well. (We were there the evening before Christmas Eve right after a winter storm came through, so indeed, we were the only ones there!)

Absolutely love the service and the ambiance of this place! Taylor is the best when it comes to mixing the drinks and knows how to make the best drinks impeccably and goes above and beyond to make customers feel at home which you don't find often. Just wish the back bar was open longer as its a more intimate setting with friends and overall vibe feels more relaxed. All in all, one of my favorite places in town.

Thoughtful and well made cocktails, bourbon and beyond. The drinks are well-balanced and unique. The bartenders are also very engaging, knowledgeable, and able to make personalized recommendations. You can tell they take pride in what they do.

I planned a last minute drink with a friend who recently moved back into town last Friday. She's in Lexington, I'm in Louisville and was traveling to Lexington for the evening, so what else was I to do but check Yelp? And what popped up? Bourbon On Rye. The spot looked neat, and I love bourbon, so I was in. We planned to meet at open (4p) and I was running a few minutes behind. When I sent a text to my friend she responded, "No problem, the bartender is educating me." I loved this response! My friend isn't extremely well-versed in bourbon, and a bartender working that evening, Taylor, had taken her under his wing. He ended up being amazing throughout our entire visit! So, big props to him and Bourbon on Rye for having him on staff. I ended up trying the Old Fashioned (made with Henry McKenna), the Paper Plane, and the New York Bourbon Sour. All of the cocktails were amazing. The Paper Plane was great, but my favorite was the Old Fashioned. I'm pretty simple when it comes to bourbon. I also had a chance to speak with another bartender, Chris. He was just as awesome as Taylor. They were both so inviting and really loved to talk about bourbon and Kentucky. (Two of my favorite things!) I will definitely be back to Bourbon On Rye! I want to check out some of the food, as well as some other cocktails, because the menu sounded awesome. The atmosphere is also great, the space has a very prohibition-style feel. And with the welcoming environment and super awesome bartenders you simply cannot go wrong with this spot! I highly recommend it!